Flaherty Showcases NTC Recreational Trails in Budget Speech | Ottawa, Ontario (February 11, 2014) - Leaders of the National Trails Coalition (NTC) were pleased to learn in today's federal budget that its nation-wide trail infrastructure program aimed at improving and expanding recreational trails as well as creating jobs for Canadians, will receive $10 million over two years as part of Economic Action Plan 2014. Read Press Release »

What is the National Trails Coalition

The National Trails Coalition (NTC) is the operating name for the Coalition of Canadian Trails Organizations, a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization. The NTC was formed in 2007 to bring the broad spectrum of trail-based activities together in a collaborative manner to build, maintain and promote trails and trail use across Canada. One of the founding principles of the Coalition is building new partnerships between trail disciplines; fostering more multiple-use trail development; and providing a trail-based platform on which private enterprise and volunteer groups alike can generate economic activity.

The umbrella organizations spearheading the coalition initiative are the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO), the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV), and the Canadian Trails Federation (CTF). Through their affiliates across Canada, these parent bodies represent trail building, operating and maintenance organizations in every province and territory. Most importantly, they provide trail infrastructure and a tourism product that is used by millions of Canadians and visitors to Canada.

The coalition was formed out of the recognition that collaboration rather than exclusionary practices is where the future of trail development is headed. Coalition members cut across all disciplines of trail use and are working together to break down the old stereotypes. By working together, and with the Government of Canada as a key partner, the coalition members are confident that trails can rise to the level of a national icon worthy of promotion around the world. At the same time, a growing network of trails will provide Canadians with safe places to enjoy outdoor recreational activities, economic opportunities and an improved environment.

The members of the coalition look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with the Government of Canada to make “United for a Stronger Trail System” a reality.

Overview

Canada is blessed with an abundance of recreational trails that are utilized by the public for a wide variety of activities from healthy living and physical fitness to recreational pursuits; from economic development for local communities to transit from one destination to another. Trails are found in urban centres and rural areas. They range from paved pathways to machine-groomed corridors, from abandoned rail lines to simple dirt tracks. Trails are used by both Canadians and tourists to access some of the most remote and beautiful scenery this country has to offer.

Trails are built and maintained largely by the efforts of volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organizations with varying levels of historical support from all three levels of government. In some instances, municipal parks & recreation departments, conservation authorities or senior government agencies responsible for parks, are the caretakers of trails. Finally, trail development across much of Canada would not be possible without the generous support of private landowners who make their land available at no cost for others to enjoy.

Trail development and management in Canada is a working example of how good things happen when volunteers, landowners and supportive businesses work together with government.

The National Trails Coalition

The three leading trail groups are national-level groups whose membership is drawn from either subsidiary groups in each province and territory or from the private sector through the contributions of manufacturers and distributors of trails-related vehicles, products and services. They include:

Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO) – The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO/CCOM) is dedicated to providing leadership and support to organized snowmobiling in Canada. It is a not-for-profit entity formed in 1974 to serve as the umbrella group for organized recreational snowmobile associations in Canada.

The CCSO/CCOM Board of Directors consist of representatives of the 13 provincial and territorial organized snowmobile associations. They meet three times a year to exchange ideas, identify and prioritize national issues and provide the CCSO/CCOM with mid to long term planning. One of the core objectives of the CCSO is to complete the Trans Canadian Snowmobile Trail and in so doing, contribute to the completion of the Trans Canada Trail.

Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV)
The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council, originally founded in 1984, is a national, non-profit, trade association, which represents the responsible interests of the major manufacturers and distributors of all terrain vehicles and off road motorcycles, as well as the manufacturers, distributors and retail outlets of OHV related products and services. Member companies such as; Arctic Cat; BRP (Can-Am); Honda; Kawasaki; KTM; Polaris; Suzuki and Yamaha are committed to the integrity of the ATV & OHV industries.

The mission of the COHV is the ongoing education and training of the general public on the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles as well as to promote the responsible interests of riders and the industry. The COHV works closely with the All Terrain Quad Council of Canada (AQCC) and The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC) and their member organizations across Canada. The COHV supports the organizational development of strong national and provincial rider federations.

Canadian Trails Federation (CTF) - The Canadian Trails Federation was incorporated federally in 2002. Its mission is to enhance the recreational trails network in Canada by sharing information; providing leadership and coordination; and building national and international consensus within the Canadian trails community. Each of the 13 provincial/territorial trail organizations in Canada nominates one director to sit on the Board of Directors of the CTF so that it represents the trails movement in Canada in the broadest sense.

The largest and most visible project for the CTF and its provincial/territorial members is the building of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT). There is a significant distinction to be made between the CTF and other national groups like the Trans Canada Trail (TCT). CTF and its member organizations are trail builders and managers. TCT relies on the infrastructure building capability of CTF members to build and maintain the trails that are part of the Trans Canada Trail.